Understanding the Overdrive App
- Thread starter Grinchy
- Start date
Hi, Grinchy -
Of course I'll help you with Overdrive. BTW, I moved this request of yours over to it's own thread. Mainly because I dislike going off topic in a thread but also because this may help others, who have Overdrive questions, find a solution.
I noticed you were from Scotland, so the first thing I did was to make sure Overdrive was in Scotland (and the UK). It is.
During my research, I found this great article from CNet UK on how to use Overdrive. So, I'm just going to paste the link here and invite you to read through it. This article covers everything I would have, so it saves me a bunch of typing. Without further ado, here's the link:
Borrow ebooks from your local library... without even going there | Reviews | CNET UK
Then, if you need assistance after that - let me know and I'll come fill in any blanks. Good luck.
Marilyn
Of course I'll help you with Overdrive. BTW, I moved this request of yours over to it's own thread. Mainly because I dislike going off topic in a thread but also because this may help others, who have Overdrive questions, find a solution.
I noticed you were from Scotland, so the first thing I did was to make sure Overdrive was in Scotland (and the UK). It is.
During my research, I found this great article from CNet UK on how to use Overdrive. So, I'm just going to paste the link here and invite you to read through it. This article covers everything I would have, so it saves me a bunch of typing. Without further ado, here's the link:
Borrow ebooks from your local library... without even going there | Reviews | CNET UK
Then, if you need assistance after that - let me know and I'll come fill in any blanks. Good luck.
Marilyn
Grinchy, You are going to love, love this app! I have used if for sometime on my ipod when it first came out-it is so nice to be able to download books from the library without even going there! The hard part will be choosing your book, and than waiting for it to be available! I have saved so much money doing this! The U.S. libraries also carry Kindle books-I also have the Kindle book app and share books between my mom's Kindle and my app. Good luck and have fun!
giradman
iPad Fan
Hi Grinchy - I'm having a real 'love & hate' relationship w/ this program - yes it's great to get books to read for free, BUT: 1) available e-books are limited and the newest releases are rare at least in my area (North Carolina, USA); 2) number of available copies is low (usually 1-2 here), likely a copyright issue and control under the publishers; 3) wait times are long & unpredictable depending in part on 'how many' others are on the waiting list - I had 3 books available at once after weeks of waiting, just no way that I could download all of them!; 4) release time is just 2 weeks in my area - I'm usually reading 3-4 books at a time, in various forms, and 2 weeks is just too short a period for me.
So will this improve? Not sure? I'll probably sign up for some more libraries which might help regarding my complaints, but hard to resist FREE!
A glitch w/ this program that is also irritating is that it will not remember my library card number despite hitting the box to remember it on this device - have others had this issue? I've emailed the OverDrive people but w/o response - this is potentially a GREAT service to all of us but is just not ready for 'prime time', and the greed of publishers will likely keep limitations in tact at least for now. But just my 2 cents - I'm still using the app and entered 2 books on my list today!
So will this improve? Not sure? I'll probably sign up for some more libraries which might help regarding my complaints, but hard to resist FREE!
A glitch w/ this program that is also irritating is that it will not remember my library card number despite hitting the box to remember it on this device - have others had this issue? I've emailed the OverDrive people but w/o response - this is potentially a GREAT service to all of us but is just not ready for 'prime time', and the greed of publishers will likely keep limitations in tact at least for now. But just my 2 cents - I'm still using the app and entered 2 books on my list today!
Giradman-I agree with everything that you say, but can overcome the wait since my schedule is so busy to actually step into the library to get a book! I had the same issue having to wait for weeks on 3 books, than all of it came at once. I try to read as much as I can, but sometimes can't finish it. Regarding the library number-I have always been asked to type in my long acct number which is a drag, but so be it. Aside for the books to read, the audio books are more readily available as a last resort. Great for working out or doing yard work!
giradman
iPad Fan
Hi Skimonkey - seems like many of us are having the same issues (i.e. problems) - have not gone the 'audio' route yet, but will consider, thanks -
As to to glitch in 'remembering' my library card number (and will likely be a further consideration if I join other libraries), I've simply added a page in Notes w/ the number (and will include additional ones), so easy to just bring up that app and do a copy maneuver, so an easy resolution. Love this app option but just hope for improvement, but will require the book publishers to change their paradigm for offering us more options to obtain these books at no cost - BOY, will that ever happen -
Boy I am going to have to try that tip of yours for cutting and pasting! Never thought of that on the iPad, but do it all the time on my PC! This ipad2 is just fabulous! Thanks again, Giradman!!Hi Skimonkey - seems like many of us are having the same issues (i.e. problems) - have not gone the 'audio' route yet, but will consider, thanks -
As to to glitch in 'remembering' my library card number (and will likely be a further consideration if I join other libraries), I've simply added a page in Notes w/ the number (and will include additional ones), so easy to just bring up that app and do a copy maneuver, so an easy resolution. Love this app option but just hope for improvement, but will require the book publishers to change their paradigm for offering us more options to obtain these books at no cost - BOY, will that ever happen -
giradman
iPad Fan
Hi Jockscrap - I don't own an iPhone but you may want to mention which app(s) does not allow you to set a bookmark which will return you to that place - on my iPad, I use iBooks, Kindle, & Overdrive to read books and all have a bookmark option.
Heaviside
iPF Novice
I don't really like Overdrive for a particular reason. Here 'tis.
The current burgeoning popularity of ereaders has caused most of the books I am interested in to be in short supply. Of course that does not reflect on the iPad app itself, but the following problem definitely does.
If I want to simply browse, I have to keep flipping pages, only to find that all books on that page are currently checked out. I have discovered a work around, however. Using Safari, I can do a search using nothing for title or author, but restricting the type of media to epub. Then I browse through the results, with each page containing only available books. This doesn't work on the iPad app because (to the best of my knowledge) it doesn't allow you to do an "advanced search."
Maybe there is an iPad dodge that I'm not aware of. If so, please tell me and I will reinstall the app!
The current burgeoning popularity of ereaders has caused most of the books I am interested in to be in short supply. Of course that does not reflect on the iPad app itself, but the following problem definitely does.
If I want to simply browse, I have to keep flipping pages, only to find that all books on that page are currently checked out. I have discovered a work around, however. Using Safari, I can do a search using nothing for title or author, but restricting the type of media to epub. Then I browse through the results, with each page containing only available books. This doesn't work on the iPad app because (to the best of my knowledge) it doesn't allow you to do an "advanced search."
Maybe there is an iPad dodge that I'm not aware of. If so, please tell me and I will reinstall the app!
Jockscrap
iPF Novice
giradman said:Hi Jockscrap - I don't own an iPhone but you may want to mention which app(s) does not allow you to set a bookmark which will return you to that place - on my iPad, I use iBooks, Kindle, & Overdrive to read books and all have a bookmark option.
I can set bookmarks with Overdrive on both my iPhone and iPad, but the bookmarks set on one aren't shown on the other.
Mopsgang
iPF Noob
I just bought an ipad2 and am waiting for it to arrive; but I use Overdrive Media on my PC and my Android Phone and my Kindle. All you have to do is sync the one you're reading, and when you open the book on another device, it should be right where you left off. I love Overdrive for audio books and for ebooks.
greencastleguy30
iPF Noob
Hi group I am looking for directions to walk me through how to use over drive on my iPod nano. If any one can help me with directions to load audio books on my nano I would greatly appreciatevthis
